Around 45,000 fans will be at Wembley on Tuesday night to witness England’s Euro 2020 last-16 showdown against arch foes Germany.
The figure is the highest for a UK football fixture since the coronavirus pandemic first arose, with 52,267 fans in attendance at Anfield for Liverpool’s Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid back in March 2020.
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Thousands of fans have already assembled outside Wembley
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Football fever is gripping the nation ahead of the crunch Germany showdown
22,500 supporters were allowed to watch England’s group games at the national stadium, but that capacity has increased for the knockout stages of the competition.
Should the Three Lions get the better of Germany – with the crunch match LIVE on talkSPORT – and manage to get to the final of the European Championship, it would mean that Southgate’s men would only play one match away from Wembley for the entirety of the tournament.
There will be an additional increase of 15,000 fans allowed into the ground for both the semi-finals and final.
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Will England or Germany progress to the quarter-finals?
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Can Southgate trump Joachim Low and deliver Euro 2020 glory for England?
Germany were ten minutes from elimination but drew with Hungary in their last game to progress from the ‘Group of Death’, which also included the World Cup holders France and Portugal.
England, meanwhile, opened their Group D campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Croatia thanks to a Raheem Sterling strike.
Gareth Southgate’s side produced a lethargic display in a 0-0 draw with Scotland at Wembley, but Sterling was on target again as England beat the Czech Republic 1-0 to top Group D.
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Frank de Boer has stepped down as Netherlands manager following the nation’s Euro 2020 exit.
The Dutch were dumped out by the Czech Republic in the last 16 on Sunday, failing to capitalise on a favourable route the the final after a promising group campaign.
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De Boer’s departure has been confirmed
It means De Boer, whose tenures at Inter Milan and Crystal Palace ended within weeks, has suffered another short-lived managerial role.
The KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association) has confirmed the former Netherlands international, who replaced Ronald Koeman last September, will not continue as manager after a mutual decision.
De Boer said in a statement: “The objective has not been achieved, that is clear.
“When I was approached to become national coach in 2020, I thought it was an honor and a challenge, but I was also aware of the pressure that would come upon me from the moment I was appointed, that pressure is only increasing now, and that is not a healthy situation for me, nor for the squad in the run-up to such an important match for the Dutch football on its way to World Cup qualification.”
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The ten-man Netherlands were beaten 2-0 by the Czechs
Nico-Jan Hoogma, director of football at the KNVB, insisted that while De Boer left of his own accord, a contract renewal necessitated reaching the quarter-finals at a minimum.
He said: “Despite all of Frank’s efforts, the goal of at least reaching the quarter-finals has not been achieved.
“If that had not been achieved, we would evaluate, which could possibly have produced a different outcome.
“We had bet on a better European Championship, but that didn’t work out.
“The choice for Frank turned out differently than we had hoped. A successor must now be found by me, after good internal consultation.”
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It’s the big one today as England face Germany in the last 16 of Euro 2020 – live on talkSPORT.
We will bring you all the build-up and the latest from both camps ahead of the mammoth Wembley showdown, while Jose Mourinho will be on talkSPORT Breakfast between 9am and 10am to give his verdict.
Plus, we will bring you the fall-out to France’s shock exit from the tournament at the hands of Switzerland, with Kylian Mbappe missing the decisive penalty in the shootout, as well all the top football news and gossip.
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talkSPORT’s England correspondent Faye Carruthers wouldn’t be doing her job if she didn’t ask Gareth Southgate about 1996.
But, as expected, she got a pretty emphatic answer from the England boss ahead of the last-16 clash with Germany at Euro 2020 on Tuesday night.
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Southgate has his shot at revenge – 25 years after his missed penalty cost England against Germany in the semi-finals
Build-up to the match has been dominated by reflection on Southgate’s decisive penalty miss against the Germans at Euro ’96, when the hosts were eliminated at Wembley in the semi-finals.
Revenge would surely taste sweet for the Three Lions manager, however he insists his players really shouldn’t care.
“Good grief no, Faye! I don’t think we’ll be relying on that,” he told talkSPORT when asked about his players seeking vengeance on his behalf.
“I’ve just said to them this week ‘look, the montages have been up on half-time during matches – forget it, it’s irrelevant for you, it’s of no importance to you what’s happened’.
“I did make the point to Jude (Bellingham) what happened in 1970 is probably not high on your list of priorities.
“So, no, this is about them. This is about them having a chance to achieve something, and certainly not for me to take any shine off of that.
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Jude Bellingham was born seven years after Southgate’s penalty miss
“I want to get to a quarter-final just as much as anybody else does, so motivation is high, of course, but for the players they’ll have their individual motivations and the collective.
“They’ve got a very strong bond and they want to do it for each other.”
Southgate understands the focus on the famous rivalry and his Euro 96 heartache – but repeatedly underlined how the players are focused on making their own history rather than worrying about the past.
He added: “This team, I’ve said for a long time, have had so many unique achievements and my focus is on this team and helping them to succeed.
“What’s happened for me as a player is totally irrelevant in terms of tomorrow’s game, so of course I’m always motivated to want to win.
“It’s an opportunity to get to the quarter-final of a European Championship and it’s the sort of big game that we want to come out on the top side on.
“But anything other than that, it would be wrong for me to be even speaking about.
“This is about our players. This is their moment and it’s their opportunity.”
The 1970, 1990 and 2010 World Cup exits to Germany also mean little to a group who have the chance to help England record just their second European Championship knockout win.
“I mean, it’s an incredible record that, really,” said Southgate, who played in that Euro 96 quarter-final spot-kick triumph against Spain.
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Germany thrashed England in the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup – the last time they met in a major tournament
“I think it’s something we’ve talked about a lot as a team for the last four years. This team has that opportunity.
“I think in previous eras we have always talked about the past, teams and their records and baggage and everything else. And there’s no reason for these boys to feel that way.
“Most weren’t born when a lot of those games happened. It’s an irrelevance for them, so I think we’re all looking forward to the game tomorrow.
“We know it’s a fantastic game to be involved in and a real opportunity for us to progress to a quarter-final.
“Big opponent with excellent pedigree and great experience, but a game we’re really looking forward to.”
England vs Germany is live on talkSPORT tonight, kick-off 5pm
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Former Germany international Stefan Effenberg does not envisage his nation having many problems getting past England in their Euro 2020 last-16 showdown on Tuesday night.
The pair go head-to-head at Wembley in a mouthwatering encounter at Wembley, which is LIVE on talkSPORT, with neither team setting the world alight at this summer’s tournament to date.
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Effenberg doesn’t think England will be much of a threat to Germany
Germany were ten minutes from elimination but drew with Hungary in their last game to progress from the ‘Group of Death’, which also included the World Cup holders France and Portugal.
England, meanwhile, opened their Group D campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Croatia thanks to a Raheem Sterling strike.
Gareth Southgate’s side produced a lethargic display in a 0-0 draw with Scotland at Wembley, while Sterling was on target again as England beat the Czech Republic 1-0 to top Group D.
And Effenberg says he’s seen little evidence to suggest that Southgate’s Three Lions will be a major threat to the Germans.
“I think England will be our easiest opponents so far,” the former Germany midfielder told Sport1.
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Kane is yet to find the net at Euro 2020
“In the group, we had world champions France, European champions Portugal and Hungary as incredibly difficult opponents. We survived it.”
The former Bayern Munich midfielder also questioned Harry Kane’s influence at the tournament to date, with the Tottenham striker yet to get off the mark amid increased speculation over his club future.
He continued: “The English have not yet really had an impact on the tournament and the attack around Harry Kane – which distinguishes them – has not appeared at all.
“So I’m sure we will win the game. The pressure is on the English.
“You play at home. Even if it’s a young team, they are expected to win the title.”
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[unable to retrieve full-text content]The Euro 2020 knockout stages continue this evening, with all the action live on talkSPORT. Follow our live blog here for all the very latest…
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There have been many classic encounters between England and Germany over the years – usually ending in heartbreak for the Three Lions. Who will come out on top this time?
Germany tend to come out on top when they face the Three Lions at a major tournament but you can’t call it this time around.
England have hardly caught the eye with their playing style but they’ve looked a solid outfit so far, and are yet to concede a goal at this tournament.
In contrast, the Germans have been in mixed form. They lost a tight match to France 1-0, turned on the style to beat Portugal 4-2 but were all over the place in their 2-2 draw to Hungary.
The only injury concern Germany boss Joachim Low has is Lukas Klostermann – the right-back is sidelined with a thigh issue.
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England will have to beware of the likes of Serge Gnabry and Kai Havertz at Wembley
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But England have plenty of danger men too
Gareth Southgate has more on his plate, however. Tuesday will mark the first day where Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell come out of their isolation. Will they be risked?
talkSPORT.com has predicted how England will line up for their Euro 2020 last-16 clash.
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
The obvious pick as he has been Southgate’s no.1 keeper for some time now and has had a decent tournament thus far.
He was arguably England’s best player during their dour draw against Scotland at Wembley, making good saves to deny the Three Lions’ rivals a shock win.
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Pickford said in a recent interview with talkSPORT that he’ll party with Jack Grealish in Las Vegas if England go all the way in Euro 2020
Defenders: Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw
Southgate has set England up relatively conservatively this summer and don’t expect him to change that any time soon.
This should be a very tactical contest and with Germany playing three defenders with wing-backs all tournament, it would be no surprise to see England play the same system.
However, we reckon England will stick to the 4-2-3-1 which has served them well so far.
Walker can continue at right-back, recovering from an iffy performance against Croatia to look solid against Czech Republic.
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Walker appears to be the pick of the three right-backs at Southgate’s disposal
He will be vital as the Three Lions look to deal with Germany’s left wing-back Robin Gosens, who gave Portugal so many issues.
Shaw has started the last two matches at left-back and with Chilwell only just coming back from isolation he should play from the first whistle again.
Meanwhile, just like against Czech Republic, we’re set to see Stones and Maguire partner each again after a solid first outing together at the tournament.
Maguire came back in from injury against Czech Republic and looked like he’d not even been away
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Mason Mount
Both Rice and Kalvin Phillips have done well at Euro 2020 so why rock the boat?
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson came on in the second half against the Czech Republic but looked off the pace and would be a risk in a knockout fixture.
This will be Phillips and Rice’s toughest game yet as they will need to watch out for the German wing-backs while also dealing with the likes of Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gundogan.
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Phillips has been one of England’s stars of Euro 2020
Mount, though, could be the man to come into the midfield in place of Jack Grealish. If Southgate goes conservative, this is where we will see it.
Mount isn’t a defensive midfielder but he’s more reliable when it comes to pressing and marking and could be vital if England are going to stop Germany controlling the match.
Grealish is, though, likely to be called upon should the Three Lions get into trouble.
He told talkSPORT: “They have said he’s on the Zoom meetings for set-pieces. He’s a fit lad anyway.
“If there is one player in that squad that could probably get away with playing without training with the team, it’s Mason Mount. I’ve got a funny feeling he could start.”
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Mount has been training on his own since last week
Forwards: Phil Foden, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling
This will be controversial whoever gets picked but only three can get play across the front line.
Grealish and Bukayo Saka were excellent against the Czechs but as mentioned, this should be a very tactical match.
Foden hasn’t been as good as England fans will have hoped but certainly has the ability to produce multiple world-class moments.
And of course you can’t leave captain Kane out of the starting XI.
Is this the England XI which can beat Germany and reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2020?
Germany team news
England’s rivals are set have their XI boosted by the return of Thomas Muller.
He was only fit enough for a role off the bench in their 2-2 draw with Hungary, but he should start against the Three Lions.
Leon Goretzka’s cameo performance in the same game could see him come into contention too, with Ilkay Gundogan a possible drop out after he missed training at the weekend.
Chelsea ace Antonio Rudiger also missed out on training but is expected to be fit.
Germany remain without Lukas Klostermann who has a long-term thigh issue.
How Germany could line up…
Does this German team pose a threat to England?
Listen to full commentary of England vs Germany LIVE on talkSPORT, kick-off 5pm.
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France are out of Euro 2020 as they were stunned by Switzerland on penalties in the last 16.
Kylian Mbappe missed the decisive spot-kick as the Swiss won their first knockout match in 83 years in stunning fashion to send the world champions and pre-tournament favourites packing.
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Mbappe was comforted by his teammates following his devastating penalty miss
Haris Seferovic headed Switzerland ahead before they had a penalty saved.
Karim Benzema then netted twice in quick fashion before a stunning strike from Paul Pogba looked to have put France out of sight at 3-1.
But Vladimir Petkovic’s valiant Swiss side came storming back and remarkably sent the game into extra-time with two late goals.
Mbappe missed the opportunity to win it for France in extra-time and was then the only player to miss in the shootout, as Switzerland sealed the biggest win in their history.
More to follow…
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Bournemouth have announced the appointment of Scott Parker as their new head coach on a three-year deal on the same day the ex-England midfielder’s exit from Fulham was confirmed.
Parker had managed the west London side since the latter stages of the 2018/19 season, bringing the club straight back up to the Premier League after relegation in that campaign.
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Parker has joined Bournemouth on a three-year deal
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He emerged from Fulham’s latest relegation with his reputation in tact
However, Parker was unable to prevent the Whites from a second relegation in three seasons last term, despite some eye-catching football.
And after lengthy with club hierarchy, Parker’s contract was mutually terminated which paved the way for him to take over at the Vitality Stadium.
“I believe this is the perfect fit for both parties,” Parker told afcbTV.
“I’m familiar with Bournemouth because of my relationship with Harry Arter. It’s a football club I know well from watching him over the years.
“The ethos, the reputation, the journey and the challenge here is something that’s very exciting for me and my staff.
“We want to build a team the fans can be proud of and one they feel represents them. We can’t wait to get started.”
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Bournemouth confirmed on Sunday that Woodgate will leave when his contract expires with Parker named as his replacement
Meanwhile, Fulham Chairman, Shahid Khan, said on Parker’s departure: “Through promotion and relegation alike, Scott has always enjoyed my support as our Head Coach.
“Scott’s departure does nothing to shake my confidence, however.
“We will hire a new Head Coach who is capable of achieving our goal of promotion and will be committed to Fulham and its supporters.
“And we will field a squad that will respond, compete and win. Onward.”
Bournemouth had held a long-standing interest in Parker dating back to when Eddie Howe left the club at the end of the 2019/2020 season.
The Championship outfit confirmed on Sunday that interim boss Jonathan Woodgate, and first-team coach Joe Jordan, would depart the club when their contracts expire.
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Roy Keane reckons France were so bad in the first-half against Switzerland that he could’ve stepped into the Swiss midfield – aged 49.
Les Bleus, the favourites at Euro 2020, suffered a major scare in the last 16 when Haris Seferovic gave Switzerland a deserved lead at half-time.
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Keane delivered a classic rant on Monday night
Didier Deschamps’ superstars were well below their best – and luckily for us, Man United legend Keane and Arsenal icon Patrick Vieira were on hand to put them to task.
“The one thing you need in football is enthusiasm,” Keane told ITV at half time.
“They don’t look like they’ve got an appetite for the game. They’re not playing as a team.
“For all the quality they have, two lads in midfield are all over the place, the strikers are just hanging on to their quality that that will be enough. That’s not enough at this level.
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Switzerland took a shock lead against the French
“I could play for Switzerland tonight. If you gave me time on the ball, I’d still be playing.”
Unfortunately Keane did not step into the action and the Swiss crumbled in the second-half, missing a penalty before two quickfire Karim Benzema goals put them behind.
But former France international Vieira was equally concerned by his nation’s performance at the break.
Vieira said: “The one thing you need in football is enthusiasm.
“They don’t look like they’ve got an appetite for the game. They’re not playing as a team.
“For all the quality they have, two lads in midfield are all over the place, the strikers are just hanging on to their quality that that will be enough. That’s not enough at this level.”
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Merseyside Police have confirmed they have launched and investigation into a threatening banner that was left near Rafael Benitez’s house, ahead of his impending appointment at Everton.
The former Liverpool boss is believed to be close to being announced as Carlo Ancelotti’s replacement in the Goodison Park dugout, but that hasn’t gone down well with fans.
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Benitez’s links to Everton have been met with fierce opposition by fans
The banner reading ‘We know where you live. Don’t sign’ was placed near the 61-year-old’s home in Wirral, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.
Merseyside Police has now confirmed they are investigating the message, but in a statement said the banner had been placed outside the wrong house.
Detective Inspector Darren Taylor said: “This message has understandably caused some distress and worry for residents in the area. Due to the football language used, we suspect that it was aimed at Rafa Benítez – but whoever placed the message left it outside the wrong house.
“If anyone has information about who produced the banner or helped to put it up, please let us know as soon as possible.”
To do this to someone’s family, outside the family home, is an absolute disgrace.
The force clarified in a statement they are now scouring CCTV footage to find the person or persons responsible. It is believed to have been placed in the early hours of Monday morning.
Angry fans have protested the ex-Liverpool manager’s possible move from the red to the blue half of Merseyside, but the threatening banner near his home was a step too far and widely condemned.
Benitez spent six years at Anfield and famously won the Champions League in 2005.
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Joachim Low’s side were poor against France in their opening game but impressed against Portugal before being pushed all the way in their final group tie.
talkSPORT is bringing you all 51 Euro 2020 games live this summer and we’ll be under the Wembley arch for this mammoth showdown too.
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Raheem Sterling have starred for England at Euro 2020
England v Germany: How to listen
This last 16 match will take place at 5pm on Tuesday, June 29.
Full coverage from Wembley will be live on talkSPORT, with our pre-match build-up starting at 3pm.
Mark Saggers will be your host and commentary will come from Jim Proudfoot and Stuart Pearce. We will also have analysis from Sol Campbell and Jose Mourinho.
Radio – talkSPORT is available across the United Kingdom via DAB digital radio and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
TV – Listen to talkSPORT through your TV on the following channels: Sky: Channel 0108 Virgin Media: Channel 927 Freeview: Channel 723 Freesat: Channel 731
England's route to Euro glory
We couldn't, could we?
Last 16: Vs Germany (5pm, Tuesday June 29, London)
Quarter-final: Vs Sweden/Ukraine (8pm, Saturday July 3, Rome)
Semi-final: Vs Czech Republic/Denmark (8pm, Wednesday July 7, London)
Final: France/Switzerland/Croatia/Spain/Belgium/Italy (8pm, Sunday July 11, London)
Every game will be LIVE on talkSPORT – we’ve got the Euros covered!
England v Germany: Squads
England
Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (West Bromwich Albion), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Sheffield United)
Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Atlético), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben White (Brighton)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Dortmund), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United), Declan Rice (West Ham), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jadon Sancho (Dortmund)
Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Forwards: Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Thomas Müller (Bayern), Kevin Volland (Monaco), Timo Werner (Chelsea)
England v Germany: What has been said?
Gareth Southgate has told his England players to make their own history against Germany rather than get caught up in it.
“I don’t need to demystify it,” Southgate said of the rivalry with Germany. “The history is an irrelevance for them.
“We’ve got boys born into the 2000s, which is obviously scary but it’s the reality of the group we’re dealing with.
“It’s of no consequence to them what we did in, you know, Peter Bonetti in 1970 and what happened in 1990 and so on.
“Of course, they’re watching that stuff and getting a bit of an understanding of it but it’s not something we’re speaking to them about.
Southgate’s England face Germany in the last 16 of Euro 2020
“This team have put down lots of historical performances in the last couple of years, made their own history, made their own stories and this is how they should view this game.
“It’s an opportunity. We’ve only won one knockout match in a European Championship as a country, so they’ve got a great chance to go and be the first team since 1996 to do that.”
Tuesday will be one of England’s biggest ever matches on home soil and Southgate is braced for a tough encounter.
“We have to be good enough to beat Germany and a very good German team,” he said.
“I think they’ve got at least four World Cup winners, innumerable Champions League winners in that team, so although everybody’s dismissing them, very, very experienced big game players.
“We know this is a fixture that could easily have ended up being one far later in the tournament.
“They’ve come through a very strong qualifying group and we’ll have to be at our very best to win the game.”
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Stuart Pearce insists Manchester United and England star Luke Shaw should use recent criticism from Jose Mourinho to fuel a response on the pitch.
While working for talkSPORT as a Euro 2020 pundit, Mourinho claimed Shaw had a ‘very good’ game in England’s 1-0 win over the Czech Republic, but admitted his corners were ‘dramatically bad’.
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Shaw’s all-round game for England against the Czechs was praised by Mourinho, who only took issue with his corners
During his time in charge of the Red Devils, Mourinho publicly criticised the left-back on more than one occasion and even accused him of lacking commitment and ambition.
Fast forward now and Shaw, United’s 2020/21 Player of the Season, has won back his place in the England team, starting his country’s last two matches at Euro 2020.
He said: “There is no hiding that we didn’t get on.
“I think he was a brilliant manager but, you know, the past is the past. It is time to move on. I am trying to move on but, obviously, he can’t.
“He continuously talks about me, which I find quite strange. Even some of the lads have said, ‘what’s his problem?’ and ‘why does he keep talking?’
Richard Pelham
Mourinho is working as a Euro 2020 pundit for talkSPORT
“He just needs to move on. Hopefully he can find his peace with that and finally move on and stop worrying about me. Clearly I am in his head a lot and he clearly thinks about me a lot.”
Former England left-back Stuart Pearce believes Mourinho was only trying to get the best out of Shaw with his choice of words.
He told talkSPORT: “Sometimes when the manager stops talking to you, that is the worst scenario to be in.
“Jose thinks Luke is a very, very good player and thinks he can get more and more out of him or could have got more and more out of him as a player.
“I thought there were compliments in there, it just depends what you’re looking for within a statement.
“If you’ve got a mindset that, ‘this fella doesn’t like me’, then you’ll only ever pick out the one [negative] thing.”
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Mourinho and Shaw did not see eye-to-eye at Manchester United
Pearce also insists Shaw can use Mourinho’s criticism as motivation to better himself on the pitch.
He added: “The bottom line is you have to use that and turn it on its head.
“If you’ve got someone to prove wrong, it’s a powerful tool in life.
“I don’t think Jose dislikes Luke Shaw as much as he thinks that he does.
“I may be wrong, I don’t know the individual interaction between the two of them.”
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Radio – talkSPORT is available across the United Kingdom via DAB digital radio and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
TV – Listen to talkSPORT through your TV on the following channels: Sky: Channel 0108 Virgin Media: Channel 927 Freeview: Channel 723 Freesat: Channel 731
Euro 2020 fixtures
Here's who plays who in the last 16...
Wales 0-4 Denmark
Italy 2-1 Austria (AET)
Netherlands 0-2 Czech Republic
Belgium 1-0 Portugal
Croatia vs Spain (5pm, Monday June 28, Copenhagen)
France vs Switzerland (8pm, Monday June 28, Bucharest)
England vs Germany (5pm, Tuesday June 29, London)
Sweden vs Ukraine (8pm, Tuesday June 29, Glasgow)
France v Switzerland: Squads
France
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Mike Maignan (Milan), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Everton), Léo Dubois (Lyon), Lucas Hernández (Bayern), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris), Jules Koundé (Sevilla), Clément Lenglet (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern), Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid), Kurt Zouma (Chelsea)
Forwards: Breel Embolo (Mönchengladbach), Mario Gavranović (Dinamo Zagreb), Admir Mehmedi (Wolfsburg), Haris Seferović (Benfica)
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France are looking to win a first European Championship since 2000
France v Switzerland: What has been said?
France coach Didier Deschamps: “They’re a well-structured team and they have good attacking potential.
“We must not underestimate them and it’s a knockout game so we’ll have to do everything we can to ensure we have smiles on our faces at the end of the match.
“We’ve had an extra day between games, five rather than four, while our opponents have had eight days, which is better. It’s hot here too, but a bit easier to cope with.”
Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic: “Against a side like France, if we both give 100 precent, what we do won’t be enough. They’ll have to give 80 precent and we need to make the most of it.
“With tough experiences you gain experience. In the EURO 2016 round of 16 game against Poland, we deserved to progress, and with penalty shoot-outs, you need to be lucky.
“We learned from that game, and also from the [1-0 round of 16] defeat against Sweden at the 2018 World Cup.
“We have just one aim: play well against France and try to get through.”
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The Euro 2020 knockout stages continue this evening, with some of the biggest teams of the tournament in action.
Denmark and Italy booked their places in the quarter-finals last night and four more teams go head-to-head in the hope of reaching the last eight.
The Czech Republic beat the Netherlands earlier on Sunday, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal’s grip on the Henri Delaunay Trophy has been loosened by Belgium.
Plus we’ll be bringing you all the latest news from the England camp ahead of Tuesday’s crunch clash with Germany.
Follow our live blog here for all the very latest…
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Asked about Mourinho’s remarks about him, Shaw was scathing in his response: “There is no hiding that we didn’t get on. It is time to move on. I am trying to move on but, obviously, he can’t.
“Hopefully he can find his peace with that and finally move on and stop worrying about me. Clearly I am in his head a lot and he clearly thinks about me a lot.
“I don’t really understand it, to be honest. I don’t know why he is still going on and wanting to point at me. I don’t feel like the set pieces were as bad as he was saying.
“I might have done one in the second half, a corner that didn’t get over the first man. But that was one out of three. The other two or three, I don’t think, were as ‘dramatically bad’ as he says. Look, he has got to do his job. He has got his opinion.
“I am used to him saying negative stuff about me now, so I just pass it by. I leave it be, I ignore it. I just focus on what the coaching staff say here, what Gareth [Southgate] says and that’s that, really.”
talkSPORT
Mourinho has spoken about Shaw on talkSPORT in recent weeks
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Shaw is not happy with some of the things Mourinho has said about him
Mourinho was regularly critical of Shaw in public during his reign at Manchester United, once declaring he must ‘change his football brain’.
The serial-winning manager also told talkSPORT recently Shaw was not ready to work with him at United, although he did praise his overall performance against the Czech Republic in England’s final group game.
Shaw, 25, says his England teammates have asked why Mourinho appears to have a problem with him and suggested he has a ‘personal agenda’ against him.
“He is different with different players. He likes some, he doesn’t like others,” he claimed.
“I think I fell into the category where he didn’t like me. I tried as hard as I could to get back on to his good side but it never worked out, no matter what I did.
“He continuously talks about me, which I find quite strange. Even some of the lads have said ‘what’s his problem?’ And ‘why does he keep talking?’ He just needs to move on. He likes to talk a lot about me, as everyone has seen.
“I don’t think any of you realise the two or three years I had with him and how bad it was then, what it was like then.
“What he says now is nothing compared to how it used to be. I am being honest. I am so past it now. I have grown up a lot. The three years I had with him, I learnt a lot.
“I find it easy to ignore him now and even laugh about it. But it’s better just to ignore it.”
What Mourinho said after England's win over the Czechs
Here's Jose Mourinho's comments in full to talkSPORT...
“The negative thing I would say is once more they were very poor on attacking corners.
“The service was dramatically bad. They have so many good players to attack corners. The crosses are not passing the first man.
“Luke Shaw, in my opinion, very good tonight but very poor on the corner. [Kalvin] Phillips, the same.
“England has great power at this level and going to knockouts, one corner can decide a game.”
Shaw has thrived at United since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer succeeded Mourinho and is now in line to start for England against Germany in the last 16 of Euro 2020 at Wembley on Tuesday.
“It [Mourinho’s criticisms] can have an effect and the way he was with me … that was him and he had his personal agenda,” Shaw continued.
“But everyone I had around me at the club was fully with me 100%, so whatever went on between me and him was our own thing.
“Around the club … they all supported me fully. So I felt the backing from the club. Not the manager at that point but I knew, if time came in, I would be able to outlast him and I have and I can just focus on getting better and improving.”
England vs Germany is LIVE on talkSPORT on Tuesday (kick-off 5pm), with Jose Mourinho part of our punditry team
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Manchester United legend Roy Keane was left raging at Joao Felix following Portugal’s exit from Euro 2020.
The defending champions had their defence of the Henri Delaunay trophy ended by Belgium, who beat them 1-0 in Seville.
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Thorgan Hazard’s strike ensures Portugal won’t win a second straight European Championship
Hazard’s long-range effort was all that separated the two sides in a match where Portugal had more clear-cut opportunities.
Diogo Jota had two great chances, Ruben Dias’ powerful header was saved by Thibaut Courtois, while Felix had his fair share of chances.
The Athletico Madrid star only entered the fray in the 56th minute but Keane suggested Felix ought to shoulder a lot of the blame for the defeat.
Keane also called on Portugal captain and former teammate at Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo, to ‘go after’ the 21-year-old in the changing room.
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Ronaldo was visibly disappointed as the final whistle went
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And Keane believes strong words are needed with ‘imposter’ Felix
On Felix, a furious Keane told ITV Sport: “He’s an imposter, your country needs you and he comes on – hit the target!
“£100million? If I was Ronaldo I’d certainly be going after him in the dressing room.”
The result means Belgium will play Italy in Munich on July 2, a match you can listen to LIVE on talkSPORT.
However, the Red Devils may have to play without two of their best known players, with both Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard hobbling off in the second half with ankle and hamstring injuries respectively.
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Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal teammates were dumped out of Euro 2020 by Belgium as Thorgan Hazard gave his nation a 1-0 win.
Ronaldo helped his side win Euro 2016 but couldn’t muster anything special in Spain to save his country from an early exit at the hands of the Red Devils.
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The Hazard brothers celebrate Thorgan’s winner in Spain
It was always going to be an intriguing encounter between two heavy hitters but it was hardly a European Championship classic.
A meandering first period was lit up at the last as the younger Hazard scored a stunning strike which swerved past Rui Patricio.
The Belgians lost Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard to injury throughout the encounter, with the former a serious worry with an ankle problem.
But despite huge late pressure Belgium were able to repel Ronaldo – the current Golden Boot leader – and his teammates and seal a quarter-final tie against Italy on July 2 in Munich.
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Ronaldo is OUT of Euro 2020 after his Portugal side couldn’t make a comeback against Belgium
In the opening exchanges, only jabs were thrown by the two sides as they slowly acclimatised to the pitch in Seville.
The opening 15 minutes saw just five touches of the ball between the two goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois and Patricio, highlighting the lack of offensive action.
Ronaldo used all his wily antics to increase his side’s chances of success, making a meal of contact from Thomas Meunier, while Renato Sanches scuffed a long-range shot wide of goal.
Meanwhile, a Ronaldo free-kick swerved towards goal but Courtois saved and Joao Palhinha couldn’t reach the rebound.
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Ronaldo got a free-kick on target but it was palmed away from danger
It was Ronaldo’s 27th free-kick at European Championships since 2004 – more than any nation – just a shame he hasn’t scored any of them.
The game’s slow ebb and flow saw a string of passive passes and some timid dribbles met by stoic defences at either end of the pitch.
Toby Alderweireld blocking runs and Pepe denying Lukaku an inch in the battle.
Meunier was then chastised by teammate Lukaku as he attempted an outside of the boot curler rather than slip him a pass in the box.
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Lukaku’s tussle with Pepe was a real battle
But just when it looked like half-time would be a vital moment for the sides to collect their thoughts, the Belgians struck.
Lukaku bullied Ruben Dias in the build-up, and after the Belgians recovered the ball, Hazard hammered a swerved effort beyond Patricio, why may feel he could have done better.
Ronaldo, hands on hips, wasn’t happy.
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Hazard crashes his shot goalwards
talkSPORTs Matt Holland certainly enjoyed it too.
“We’ve just seen a piece of magic,” he cooed.
“It finds its way to Thorgan Hazard on the left edge of the box, he cuts inside on his right foot, he arrows his shot past Patricio into the top corner.
“That is absolutely top drawer. It’s got swerve, it’s got bend, it drifts away from Patricio.
“It was maybe more in the middle of the goal than I thought and Patricio perhaps should have done better but there was so much movement on that ball. It is a fantastic strike from Hazard.”
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Hazard celebrated with his older brother after firing Belgium ahead
Prior to the break, De Bruyne was on the end of a crunching tackle from Palhinha, earning the Portuguese a booking.
And while the Man City ace return to the field for the second period, he was swiftly replaced by Dries Mertens as manager Robert Martinez opted not to further risk his talisman’s tender ankle.
Joao Felix, Atletico Madrid’s £113million wonderkid, and Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes entered the fray as the reigning champions looked for a route back into the contest.
Diogo Jota and Felix missed chances but nothing that caused Belgium to break too much sweat.
AFP
De Bruyne’s tournament is in doubt after going off injured
Ronaldo wrapped a 28th free-kick into the wall as the game wore on as clear chances were few and far between.
Feistiness was soon the order of the day with veteran defender Pepe going in hard on the younger Hazard after the whistle had been blown to pause play for a head injury to Lukaku.
The Porto ace was only booked for ill-advised challenge.
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Pepe seemed happy to take on the entire Belgian side
As Portugal pressed forward, Courtois had to punch away a Dias header, while Raphael Guerreiro hit the post as time ticked away for the Euro 2016 winners.
Andre Silva was another who went close as the losing side pressed forward, while their defence robustly dealt with any counters.
One last Felix strike was dragged wide and when the final whistle blew a fuming Ronaldo thumped the floor.
He’s currently on five goals at Euro 2020 with Patrik Shick now one behind him on four having helped Czech Republic beat Netherlands.
Will he be beaten to the award?
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